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Case Western’s Medical Program is ranked Tier 1 in Best Medical Schools: Research and in Tier 3 in Best Medical Schools: Primary Care by US News and World Report. Additionally, its Pre-Professional Scholars Program is rumored to have an acceptance rate of just 1%, so if you’re interested in applying to their BS/MD program, your essays are going to need to be outstanding. Keep reading for our expert advice for writing admissions essays that will propel your application to the top of the acceptance list!
Let’s dig into the Case Western PPSP application prompts:
The first thing to note with this prompt is just how much of your life it is asking you to reflect on in a minimal word count. (Hint: it’s a lot.) So, our recommendation is that you take full advantage of the 500 words allotted. Even though admissions is not directly asking about your readiness to pursue a non-traditional accelerated path, that readiness should be addressed in your response given the framework of the prompt (“you are applying to gain admission to professional school earlier than students who apply in the traditional way”). It can feel daunting to approach a multi-faceted prompt within the confines of a single page, so we suggest that you brainstorm your answers to its individual components first, and then see how they intersect in specific ways. For example, you might read over your notes on how your own ACL tear and subsequent rehabilitation led you to want to pursue a future as an orthopedic surgeon, and then realize your suitability to that field is, in part, because you have been playing on a soccer field—hyper-aware of musculature and kinetics—for over ten years. It’s also helpful to keep in mind that this prompt should be a mixture of reflection on past experiences and thinking ahead to your future. Based on what has already informed your choices, how do you see yourself excelling in medicine?
This is one of our favorite prompts because it gives you the opportunity to speak to your strengths outside of official resume accolades. Because the Case Western Reserve PPSP is highly competitive, it makes sense that admissions would want to learn about more than just your achievements and awards. You can assume that the majority of applicants will have a stellar GPA, relevant medical experience, and impressive extracurriculars. The next questions to ask are: What differentiates you from the rest? And what makes you stand out from other go-getting future medical professionals? Begin by honoring the exact language of the prompt by brainstorming events, achievements, and experiences that do not appear anywhere else on your admission application. Are you an avid angler who won a regional bass tournament? Did you skydive for charity on your twenty-first birthday, even though you are afraid of heights? Make sure that you aren’t just summarizing this additional info, but also reflecting on why you are particularly proud of it. The limit of 750 words is longer than most personal statements, so you have room here to dig deep and tie your choice to your character and worldview. We also suggest that you think about how this additional info makes you well-suited for either a rigorous BSMD program and/or a career in medicine. It takes knowledge of spinner lures and an ability to pivot with the wind to catch a bass over the course of a ten hour tournament—how might that make you a good doctor during a long surgery? Finally, note that the prompt is not asking you to talk in general terms about a hobby or interest but rather a specific accomplishment or experience (a moment, even!), and what you pick may or may not come with public recognition.
While a rumored acceptance rate of 1% means you probably shouldn’t put all your eggs in this one basket, our experienced Advisors are here to help set you apart from other applicants through memorable, personal essays. An Advisor from our team can guide you through the writing process from start to finish, assisting you with everything from initial brainstorming to paragraph structuring to final polish. Fill out a contact form below to reserve a spot on our roster!
